Tag Archives: metrotex association of realtors

With the economy still in a wicked mess, reports are that the latest trend in homebuying is not buying. Renters are on the rise. But are they? Real estate source Inman reported in January that it is cheaper to buy in the majority of the country’s larger cities. Keith Jurow reported last year on World Property Channel that a Harris Interactive survey found renting a better option. So which is it? We asked locals in the industry how the trends are swaying the Dallas housing market and the frustrations behind them.

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Michael Litzinger

Michael LitzingerWilliam Davis Realty Uptown

The trend has affected my business significantly. The firm I recently moved to seems to be more in tune with today’s market. Their streamlined, online process requires less paperwork which makes it better for the client, a much quicker turn around for me and better for the environment.

Leasing does move property these days, and I am just glad the industry moves in some fashion whether it’s leasing or selling.

I do think the trend has affected us locally somewhat, but not nearly as severely as in most other areas. I still feel good about the Dallas market. I know Realtors in other areas that can’t say the same.

Buyers are decreasing to some degree. Even with low interest rates, I’ve had a lot of buyers come to me and then disappear.

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Derrick Dawson

Derrick DawsonTexas Pride Realty

As an active and producing Realtor also working in property management, I’d say the rental trend has picked up significantly, but that doesn’t mean it’s been ideal for property renters/owners or for the multi-family industry. The rental market has been stable but faces some challenges based on broken leases due to financial hardship or unemployment. Many are playing it safe by downsizing or combining rental homes based on economic conditions, being fearful of keeping their jobs and saving for the future.
Today is a buyer’s market and an ideal time to get out of the rent race. The downfall to the buyer’s market that I have seen personally is buyers and investors taking advantage of desperate people in today’s markets, possibly causing detriment to individuals or families in their time of need but also bringing down values in those areas making it harder for others to sell.

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Dan Flynn

Dan FlynnDave Perry-Miller InTown

The trend of leasing over buying has changed the way I preview properties in my area. Leasing is so hot now, I’ve looked at rentals and try to know the different apartment communities close by. Now I am much faster to respond to leasing needs.

I process far more leases to build my future list of clients. I try to educate and prepare them for the buying process down the road. Using a Realtor to find the perfect place to lease makes a lot of sense for those wanting to buy in the future but also for those who don’t really want to do the legwork.

I recently represented a seller who could not sell his property for the amount he was hoping for. Finding qualified buyers in his market and price range wasn’t easy. Another Realtor’s client was interested in leasing the property so

I had to have that conversation with my seller. The seller decided to go with the lease. While sales are still going strong, leasing has increased. While this really is the time to buy, I think all the media attention scares buyers. Potential buyers need to know that the market is stable here and we are one of the cities leading the nation in sales right now. Go buy a house now or pay more for it later both in price and interest rates.

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Keith M. Thomas

Keith M. Thomas1111 Apartment Locators

Although the economy has definitely affected us here, it is worse in other areas of the country. Dallas continues to grow and so I feel the trend’s impact on Dallas has been positive.

My company is a fully licensed real estate brokerage company and we handle all residential and commercial real estate transactions yet, our primary business is apartment locating. We want to maintain focus on renters, but we’ve created strategic partnerships with other real estate companies and have a referral program with them. We work closely with our clients to help with all of their real estate needs.

For homes that have reasonable mortgages there is good news. In Dallas, the rental market has significantly gone up, especially from 2010 to present to a 94-97 percent occupancy rate.

Buyers become renters for two reasons: First, they are able to get a nicer home for a lower monthly payment. And second, it doesn’t make sense to buy unless you’re planning to stay. However, buyers are increasing, oddly enough. MetroTex Association of Realtors reported that last August 2010 there were 1,223 properties sold and this August 2011 there were 1,485.

It’s a landlords’ market. Rents are at a premium and good ones go fast. When I show my clients rentals, they want to think about it, I encourage them to act quickly, because the unit is gone within a day or two. Why should homeowners take a loss on waiting for a qualified buyer, when they can rent quickly and hold out for the market to improve?

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition October 7, 2011.

CoH plans Christmas Eve services

Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ will hold five Christmas Eve services beginning at noon Friday, Dec. 24, with “A Shopper’s Christmas Eve” in the Interfaith Peace Chapel. Shoppers can buy gifts in the Sources of Hope gift shop, have their packages wrapped and worship during their lunch hour.

The Children and Families Service, with sing-alongs, puppets and more begins at 5 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by Mass en Español in the Interfaith Peace Chapel.

Traditional candlelight communion worship services will be held at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Barbara’s Pavillion also has Christmas stockings on hand that patrons can purchase and decorate, with proceeds also benefiting Legacy Founders Cottage.

ONE Church in new location

The ONE Church, the only LGBT-affirming Apostolic Pentecostal church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, now holds services each Sunday at 6 p.m. at Resource Center Dallas, 2701 Reagan St.

The church also holds prayer service each Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by Bible study from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., also at Resource Center Dallas.

Tuesday Night Fellowship is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings on Lemmon Avenue at Douglas Avenue.

For more information go to the church’s website at Dallas1Church.org.

Sadlek wins MTAR award

The MetroTex Association of Realtors has announced that Mark Sadlek from Republic Title is the 2010 Affiliate of the Year award winner. The announcement came at MTAR’s annual awards and charity event.

Sadlek has served on the MetroTex board of directors and is a MetroTex Leadership Academy Graduate, currently serving on the Leadership Committee.

He also serves on the Human Rights Campaign’s Board of Governors and as co-chair of the Federal Club. He co-founded and chaired Leadership Lambda Inc. in Dallas and has done planning and fundraising for Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA).

“I have been amazed with Mark’s dedication to MetroTex this year,” said 2010 MetroTex President Kay Weeks of Ebby Halliday Realtors. “His contributions to our organization reflect his professionalism and devotion to the real estate industry.”
MetroTex has honored one of its affiliate members with this award annually since 1982.

Stonewall Denton elects officers

DENTON — Stonewall Democrats of Denton County, now completing its third year, has elected new officers for 2011.

Eloy Machuca of Flower Mound was elected as the second president in the chapter’s history. Outgoing founding President John McClelland did not seek re-election.

“I was honored to have lead this chapter and in becoming the first openly gay elected official in the county in my final year,” said McClelland. “Our members put a lot of faith in me. I felt it was the perfect time to get some new blood on our executive board.”
Joining Machuca will be Vice President Courtney Medina of Flower Mound, Treasurer Tod King of Lake Dallas and Secretary Stacey Langley of Denton.

“Our new officers are representative of our chapter being male, female, Caucasian, Hispanic, gay, straight and bisexual,” said Machuca. “Stonewall is intended to fight for everyone.”

Stonewall Democrats of Denton County has been instrumental in holding a Pride Weekend in the city of Denton, organizing rallies for the Prop 8 rulings, providing scholarships for community organizations and promoting progressive Democratic candidates.

Estate-planning seminar set

Attorney John McCall and Sparkman Hillcrest Family Service Director Ron Boson are sponsoring a free estate-planning seminar on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. at Oak Cliff Coffee in the Bishop Arts District. Complimentary coffee and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited so call 214-942-1100 to reserve a seat.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 24, 2010.